Biblical Answer

Understanding God's Purpose in Suffering

Suffering, including chronic pain, is a complex issue that can be challenging to understand. From a biblical perspective, God does not delight in physical pain or distress. However, He does permit it in certain instances, and it is not necessarily a result of a faulty theology or a lack of faith. In fact, the Bible teaches that sin can lead to affliction, as seen in the story of Job, where he described his physical and psychological pain as a result of his sin (Job 3:3a).

The Sovereignty of God

It is essential to recognize that God is sovereign over all things, and nothing happens apart from His knowledge and will. This means that by the time suffering or depression comes to our doorstep, God has already ordained it. To believe otherwise is to opt for a humanistic worldview, which shifts the burden of proof to the believer's shoulders. God's sovereignty does not imply a lack of love or care for humanity, but rather a desire to work all things together for our good, as Romans 8:28 states.

A Theology of Suffering

A biblical theology of suffering acknowledges that God is not aloof or distant, but rather, He is actively involved in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. He uses suffering as a venue to employ strategies that lead us to Himself, such as hopelessness, questioning His love, or questioning His forgiveness. It is crucial to recognize that God's purpose in suffering is not to make us jump through unnecessary hoops, but rather to draw us closer to Himself. As Jesus Christ suffered for us, so too can we learn to suffer with Him, trusting that He is working all things together for our good. By embracing a biblical theology of suffering, we can find hope and comfort in the midst of pain and affliction.